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The first speed records

Sir Malcolm Campbell

In 1935, on the vast salt expanse of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first man to break the mythical speed barrier of 300 mph (483 km/h).

Sir Malcolm Campbell advertisement

At the wheel of his specially built record-breaking car Bluebird and wearing an Oyster on his wrist, the man known at the height of his fame as the king of speed had just pulverized the World Land Speed Record for the ninth time.

Sir Malcolm had worn a Rolex Oyster from 1930 onwards and praised its exceptional resistance to shocks and vibrations in advertisements of the time.

After his last record-breaking feat, he telegraphed Rolex: “The Rolex watch is still keeping perfect time. I was wearing it yesterday when Bluebird exceeded 300 mph. Campbell.”